What? McDonald's Again? Halal?

UPDATE May 22, 2015 Friday: WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED UK SLAUGHTER IS NOT LIKE USA SLAUGHTER! THEREFORE, THIS ARTICLE ONLY APPLIES TO USA.

PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL HALAL MEAT SUPPILER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

"I want to ask about meat at the supermarket, McDonald's, KFC and non-Muslim's meat. Is its Haram?Some say these are all Halal.OK, but is it OK to eat from these sources.Also is there support for this answer from the Quran & sunnah?"

Bismillah - Salam alaykum,

Thank you for asking about 'halal' and 'haram' meats and eating in restaurants in America.

Keep in mind, we are only talking about restaurants and markets in America. Othercountries have their own methods, rules and laws regarding slaughtered.

If you have doubt, contact your local imam for help.

Thank you for your question regarding 'halal' and 'haram' of eating in fast food places in America.

IMPORTANT - Basic principles in our daily lives:

1. Do not make things in this life difficult for yourself. If the prophet allowed it, then don't make it Haram (forbidden).

According to the wife of our prophet, peace be upon him, any time there was a choice in a matter, our prophet, peace be upon him, always took the easiest way. And he did not want to make our deen (way of life in Islam) difficult.

2. Whatever is in the material world in our day to day lives is always Halal (permitted),except what is specifically forbidden by Islam.

3. Whatever is worship in any form, is all forbidden, except that which is permitted by Islam.4. Oppression of anyone (including ourselves) is not permitted by Islam.

5. If there is a choice in a matter - always take the one easiest for you.

So, the answers is - 'YES' and 'NO'

What if the restaurant is located in a Muslim country where the Halal restrictions are in place, or if it is owned by Muslims who claim they follow the rules of thabihah (halal slaughter and processing), is it really halal? Yes, it is halal for you, inshallah.

For the record, there are many places in non-Muslim countries, even the U.S. and Canada - where you can eat at a McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken or other famous fast food chains, and enjoy a perfect halal meal!

What if it is not located in a Muslim country, but it is owned by responsible Muslims?- Absolutely yes. If Muslims tell you they are offering you meat, you should not even question it. This is confirmed from the sunnah of the prophet, peace be upon him.

What if there is clear evidence the meat is not from a proper source? - No good. Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt.

What if I am not positive, but I suspect it could be haram? Then of course you need to read the rest of this article:

Bismillah Rahman RaheemDetailed Answer dated: 12:25 AM

Thank you for your question concerning meat that we should or should not eat. This is a problem that many are faced with today, while living here in the West.

Let us consider what has been preserved in the Quran for us as Muslims, for over 1,400 years:

As Muslims, we are very unique and Blessed by Allah, in that we still have all the original information to base our understanding of how to live according to revelation from Above (Quran and Sunnah).

We have original recorded sources of our religion: A) The Quran, and B) Teachings of Muhammad (sunnah). This is a very unique feature in Islam - not available in other ancient religions. And whenever we find answers in the Quran and teachings of Muhammad, peace be upon him, (hadeeth), we have no option but to accept fully and completely. As Allah says in His Book:

"But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (Muhammad, peace be upon him) the judge in all matters of dispute between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (the decisions) with full submission." [Surah An-Nisaa' 4:65]

Regarding food, here is one of many places in Quran where Allah Speaks to us about this important subject:The beginning of Chapter 5 (Surah Mayidah) - In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

1. O you who believe! Fulfil (your) obligations. Lawful to you (for food) are all the beasts of cattle except that which will be announced to you (herein), game (also) being unlawful when you assume Ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage). Verily, Allah commands that which He wills.

2. O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded people or animals, etc. [Marked by the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the tree­stems (of Makkah) for their security], nor the people coming to the Sacred House (Makkah), seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when you finish the Ihram (of Hajj or 'Umrah), you may hunt, and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al­Masjid­al­Haram (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help you one another in Al­Birr and At­Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.

3. Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maytatah (the dead animals - cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns - and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal - unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) ­ and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on An­Nusub (stone altars). (Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or decision, (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allah and sin). This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat these above-mentioned meats), then surely, Allah is Oft­Forgiving, Most Merciful.

4. They ask you what is lawful for them (as food ). Say: "Lawful unto you are At­Tayyibat [all kind of Halal (lawful­good) foods which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits, etc.)]. And those beasts and birds of prey which you have trained as hounds, training and teaching them (to catch) in the manner as directed to you by Allah; so eat of what they catch for you, but pronounce the Name of Allah over it, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Swift in reckoning."

5. Made lawful to you this day are At­-Tayyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) foods, which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, etc., milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits, etc.). The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals, etc.) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time, when you have given their due Mahr (bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girl-friends. And whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [i.e. His (Allah's), Angels, His Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection and Al­Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], then fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.

Now let us ask a few basic questions to establish the importance of the subject today:

1: Is there really anything in Islam that restricts our diet?Answer: Yes. This is confirmed in both the Quran and in the sunnah (hadeeth or teachings of Muhammad, peace be upon him), many times.

2: What are the restrictions?Answer: Everything is halal (permissible) except for those things that are specifically forbidden.

Swine or pork products of any kind (Quran)

Donkey meat (hadeeth narrated by Ali, in Sahih Al Bukhari)

Animals of prey (eagles, falcons, lions, tigers, bears, etc.)

Animals already dead

Animals dead of disease, old age, etc.

Dead from falling, breaking neck, etc.

Violent deaths

Animals killed by other animals

Animals partially eaten by other animals

Animals sacrificed to other gods than Allah

3: How are the animals to be slaughtered by Muslims?

Animal place on side, relaxed (if possible)

Very sharp knife (hidden from animal's view)

One quick slice of knife across throat

Mention Allah's Name (Bismillah)

Single, firm cut just at the knot on the neck

Do not break the neck

Allow to bleed until unconscious

Butcher only after animail is completely dead

4. Who is allowed to do the slaughtering and butchering? - Muslims, Jews and Christians (Ahl Kitab)

5. If a Jewish Rabbi slaughters it, is there anything else to be concerned about? - Usually - "No. This is all you need" - But if there is any real doubt, check with your local imam who has slaughtering experience.

6. What about Christians who might say, "In the Name of Jesus" during slaughtering? - Allah tells us in the Quran that we can eat their meat. It is very doubtful any Christian is saying "Jesus" or "Trinity". Even if they did it, but you didn't know about it, just say, Bismillah and eat it.

7. What about others who are not Christian or Jew?If you know that someone is not Christian or Jew, and they are involved in the slaughter -- don't eat it.If you know that they are offering the meat as a sacrifice to some other God than Allah - don't eat it. If you doubt whether or not a Christian or Jew actually slaughtered the meat, then don't eat it.

8. What about the meat in the grocery stores and fast food chains?

Remember the rule - "If in doubt - don't eat it" (any doubt about the religion of the one slaughtering? -- Don't eat)

Be careful of ground meat from regular stores. This does not say "Ground Beef" they have found meat mixed with pork and other things into the ground chicken or beef.

Some fast food restaurants have halal meat. More and more we learn of Muslim owned shops. Just ask for non-meat, vegetarian or halal sausage or bacon.

9. What about fish and seafood? - Everything that is from the sea is halal for us to eat. Seafood has no special way to be slaughtered or butchered.

10. What about wild game? - Whatever you shoot that dies as a result is halal. If your hunting animal eats from it -- then it is haram to you.

11. What should a family do that lives in the West and halal is just not available in most places?

Form a group to go buy from a place that sells it

Have a place (masjid?) to keep a freezer full of halal meat

Muslims pay enough to cover expences

Gather in each other's homes or community centers or masjids for potluck dinners

Order halal (or kosher if Halal not available) at your local butcher shop or grocery store

Eat vegetarian meat substitutes

Eat fish etc.

Keep in mind that eating halal is a condition to have our prayers answered by Allah.So don't take this subject to lightly. Food and drink are two things about which we will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.

Best to eat from food with no doubt, like from places that do zabihah (halal meat) and feel good about obeying Allah.

We ask Allah to continue to guide you in your search for good

answers about Islam & protect you and your family from eating

from the "forbidden fruits" and protect us all from the haram, ameen.

Any good is from Allah, and the mistakes are from myself. May Allah guide all of us to His Truth, ameen.

Salam alaykum - Yusuf Estes

Comments

Point for clarification: You state "And those beasts and birds of prey which you have trained as hounds, training and teaching them (to catch) in the manner as directed to you by Allah". This makes one think it's okay to eat the beasts and birds of prey.... It could be better worded such as: And as for the beasts.... Or And along with the prey of the beasts.... Do you see what I'm saying? Keep up the good work.

In USA they slaughter cows with gun shots or stun them very quickly in a humane way. In reading your important article if any Muslim says Bismillah that should be halal. Please shed some light on it. Thank you very much.

Thank you for clearing that out, I have a bunch of Muslim friends who go out to eat KFC and say it's alright, but I only get the drinks. Anyways if the meat is cut can't we just say bismillah, and eat it?

What you dont know,then it is better to leave, to be on the safe side. Check out studies of the bun bread itself. Even a fish burger contains animal fats on the bread. And another argument to leave Mcdonalds; dp not support Israel who is bombing Palestine through the support of their products. I will in sha Allah boycott Israel for the rest of my life. Trust me, it is possible, i am living Israel free.

do not change my creation allah has said(this is either in thesahihi bukari hadith or the quranwe give the cows that are sold to macdonalds to fatten them up for slaughter gmo( genetically modified organisms) grain this is haramin quran surah 2:205-206 Not exact words but close(they will be causing mischeif in the crops and cattle..when told that they are doing this they turn their noses up in arogance and still continue.we are seeing genetically modified corn and soybeans being grown (which causes sterility ) these crops are destroying the bees we are not suppose to kill the bee intentionallymacdonalds is causing shirk and fitnah even in muslim countries